Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul have been put on ice, with the bout collapsing over so-called “network issues.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn had been driving the talks, describing it as the biggest fight in boxing, one that would bring Joshua an enormous payday. But the deal has slipped away, leaving Paul to chase other opportunities while Joshua weighs up less lucrative options.
The collapse was first reported by Mike Coppinger, who revealed that talks had broken down due to broadcasting hurdles.
Paul’s camp pushed back on that explanation, though. His manager, Nakisa Bidarian, stressed the fight was never lined up for 2025. Instead, he suggested it would happen later, likely in 2026.
Paul himself appeared to hint that the fight remains on his radar. “First David, then Goliath,” he posted on X, a clear reference to his next opponent Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis before moving on to Joshua.
That line reinforced Paul’s remarkable position of power. With more than 70 million combined followers across his platforms, he has the leverage to dictate terms even against established champions.
Financial blow for Anthony Joshua
For Joshua, the timing could hardly be worse. The Brit eyed one of the most lucrative bouts of his career, only to face less attractive choices instead.
Promoters have floated a clash with 2016 Olympic gold medalist Tony Yoka, potentially staged in Ghana, but the interest simply isn’t comparable. Yoka has a modest profile and nowhere near the same commercial pull.
From a boxing perspective, it’s a manageable fight for Joshua, who would likely start as a heavy favorite. Financially, however, it falls far short of the Paul spectacle. The disappointment for Hearn is obvious, with months of effort failing to deliver the kind of crossover event that could have transformed Joshua’s earnings.
Paul, meanwhile, has moved quickly to secure his next headline moment. He will face Davis in Atlanta on November 14, with promoters billing it as another spectacle fight. That clash has its own intrigue, and you can read more about it in our separate coverage.
The bigger story, though, remains unfinished. Joshua versus Paul still feels inevitable, just not yet. For now, AJ must settle for a lower-profile opponent while Paul continues to bend the sport around his influence.
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